No Open Pond
Water disappears through the finished gravel bed into a concealed reservoir, then recirculates to the top of the falls.
Compact pondless waterfall kit
Build the sound and movement of a natural-looking waterfall in a small landscape bed—without an open pond. This complete recirculating kit pairs a 10-inch cascade box with a hidden Canyon Matrix™ reservoir and a 1,495 GPH Mag-Drive pump for a stream up to 4 feet long.
Why this kit works
Water disappears through the finished gravel bed into a concealed reservoir, then recirculates to the top of the falls.
The spillway, pump, reservoir, liner, underliner and plumbing are supplied together, reducing the guesswork of sizing a small system.
You choose the stone, gravel and planting style, so the finished stream can blend naturally into a corner, slope or compact garden bed.
Kit contents
The kit includes the core recirculating system and installation materials listed below. Linked component pages provide additional equipment details; where a page offers multiple sizes, the exact included size or model is identified here.
Not included: Decorative rocks and gravel, excavation tools, site-preparation materials, clean fill water, electrical service, lighting and an automatic water fill kit. The pump requires a dry, GFCI-protected receptacle. Optional upgrades include the Hudson Automatic Water Fill Kit (#PB1342) and the IllumiGlow® 3-Light LED Kit (#PB2897).
Exact-model details
Closed-loop water flow
Installation planning
This is a built-in landscape water feature that requires excavation, careful liner placement, level components, plumbing connections and rockwork. Review the installation manual before starting and confirm underground utility locations before excavation.
Choose a visible location near water and a dry GFCI-protected receptacle. Mark the reservoir, stream path and cascade-box position.
Dig approximately 28" L × at least 22" W × 13" D. Remove sharp roots and stones that could puncture the liner.
Place the protective underliner first, then center the rubber liner over it. Keep at least 6 inches of extra liner around the basin and stream edges.
Center the unit with approximately 3 inches of open space along each slotted side. Fill those side spaces with rinsed river rock large enough to stay outside the slots.
Route the hose inside the liner, connect the pump and cascade box, and level the box so water crosses the spillway evenly.
Add rinsed gravel and rockwork, fill the reservoir, then start the pump. Check flow, water level and the stream edges before trimming or concealing excess liner.
Choose the right system
PB1373 is the smallest kit in this comparison. Related-model figures are planning specifications; review the linked product page and its current manual before ordering another size.
| Specification | DIY 10" Mini | DIY 20" Small | Elite Cascade Small | Elite Spillway Small | Elite Cascade Medium | Elite Spillway Medium | Elite Cascade Large | Elite Cascade XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item number | PB1373 | PB1854 | PB1229 | PB16KIT | PB1236 | PB28KIT | PB30CFK | PB40CFK |
| Max stream size | 4' L × 1'–2' W | See model page | 6' L × 1'–2' W | 6' L × 1'–2' W | 16' L × 2'–4' W | 16' L × 2'–4' W | 17' L × 4'–6' W | 18' L × 6'–7' W |
| Liner | 6' × 10' | 8' × 15' | 10' × 15' | 10' × 15' | 10' × 10' basin + 10' × 20' stream | 10' × 10' basin + 10' × 20' stream | 15' × 15' basin + 10' × 20' stream | 15' × 15' basin + 15' × 20' stream |
| Falls box width | 10" | 20" | 14" | 16" | 22" | 28" | 30" | 40" |
| Pump flow | 1,495 GPH | 1,980 GPH | 2,100 GPH | 2,100 GPH | 4,500 GPH | 6,000 GPH | 6,000 GPH | 7,800 GPH |
| PVC flex hose | 1" × 7' | 1.5" × 10' | 2" × 25' | 2" × 25' | 2" × 25' | 2" × 25' | 3" × 25' | 3" × 25' |
| Matrix / reservoir | Canyon Matrix™ | Canyon Matrix™ | 1 large matrix box | 1 large matrix box | 3 large matrix boxes | 3 large matrix boxes | 3 large + 3 small boxes | 4 large + 4 small boxes |
| Pump Canyon® | Canyon Matrix™ | Canyon Matrix™ | Small | Small | Small | Small | Large | Large |
Ownership expectations
Remove leaves and debris that redirect the stream, monitor the reservoir level and top off as needed. Never allow the pump to run dry. Inspect the pump, tubing and connections regularly.
Clean the waterfall-box filter media at least yearly and keep the pump intake and foam pre-filter clear. Follow each water treatment label; do not apply Muck Buster® at the same time as an algaecide.
If shutting down, unplug and remove the pump, clean it and store it submerged in water where it cannot freeze. Leave the buried basin at least 50% full to reduce freeze-thaw heaving. Winter damage is not covered under warranty.
Connect the three-prong plug only to a dry GFCI-protected outlet. Disconnect power before placing, removing or servicing the pump. Never lift or carry the pump by its power cord.
Check the stream frequently for ice dams that could divert water outside the liner. Monitor water level especially closely during cold, dry weather.
The Blue Thumb cascade box and Canyon Matrix™ carry a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for the original purchaser. The PB2613 Mag-Drive pump carries a 5-year limited warranty; the impeller is excluded.
Official Blue Thumb documents
Read the installation manual before excavation and keep the maintenance guide available for seasonal care.
Official installation guidance
These official Blue Thumb videos cover the DIY cascading-falls family and its included components. Use the PB1373 manual above for this kit's exact dimensions and layout. The automatic water fill kit shown in the final video is optional and sold separately.
Complete product-family installation overview. Video courtesy of Blue Thumb.
Focused liner-connection guidance. Video courtesy of Blue Thumb.
How the concealed reservoir and pump chamber support a compact pondless waterfall. Video courtesy of Blue Thumb.
Product-family operation and maintenance guidance for the included pump type. Video courtesy of Blue Thumb.
Shows general installation principles for an optional ½-inch auto-fill system. For this pondless waterfall, use the compatible Hudson Automatic Water Fill Kit (#PB1342), sold separately. Video courtesy of Blue Thumb.
Blue Thumb's Sales/Tech Team can help confirm the footprint, site plan, included components, electrical needs and whether the Mini 10-inch or a larger kit better fits your project.
It includes the core recirculating equipment, liner, underliner, plumbing, fittings, installation instructions and startup water treatments. Decorative rocks and gravel, site preparation, fill water, electrical service, lighting and auto-fill equipment are not included.
No. Water collects in a lined reservoir hidden beneath the gravel bed and recirculates to the waterfall box.
The kit is sized for a stream up to approximately 4 feet long and 1–2 feet wide. The manual calls for a reservoir excavation approximately 28 inches long, at least 22 inches wide and 13 inches deep. Leave additional working room around the stream and basin.
Blue Thumb lists 4 feet by 1–2 feet as this kit's maximum stream size. For a larger design, choose a larger kit rather than stretching the included liner, hose and pump beyond their planned layout.
The PB2613 pump has a 20-foot cord and three-prong plug. Connect it to a dry, GFCI-protected receptacle and verify the available power matches the pump nameplate. Do not cut the cord or direct-wire the pump.
No. Both are optional and sold separately. Plan light locations while placing the stone, and consider #PB1342 if you want automatic replacement of water lost to evaporation and splash.
Remove stream debris, monitor water level, inspect the pump and tubing, keep the pump intake clear and clean the waterfall-box filter media at least yearly. Use water treatments only as directed.
If shutting down, unplug and remove the pump, clean it and store it submerged in water where it cannot freeze. Let the spillway and hose drain back into the basin, clean the filter media and leave the underground basin at least 50% full. If operating through winter, watch closely for ice dams and low water.
Blue Thumb lists a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for the original purchaser on its cascade boxes and Canyon Matrix™, subject to installation and modification conditions. The PB2613 Mag-Drive pump has a 5-year limited warranty; the impeller is excluded. Review the current warranty terms for claim requirements and exclusions.